Apparatus for protecting and displaying tinsel garland and the like

ABSTRACT

A package having tiers of tinsel garland and the like comprising a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shaped carton having a plurality of support members contained therein each adapted to carry a plurality of such tinsel garland in a neatly spaced manner. The supporting tray members are bent or otherwise formed so as to provide separating members for maintaining spacing between adjacent garlands supported by a tray and further providing rigid support for a tray positioned thereupon to prevent crushing of the garland. Means may also be provided for visually observing the contents of lower tiers and for facilitating removal of each tray. The neat compact manner in which garland is stacked facilitates use of the package for display means. Alternative display means comprising open ended carton subassemblies housed within an enclosing carton are adaptable for display use. The enclosing carton may be slit in such a manner as to form a pair of display stands each adapted to support a display carton in a tilted fashion. Each display carton subassembly is provided with a shelf type assembly cut from a single blank of stiff cardboard or other like material to position and support a plurality of garlands.

United States Patent [191 Kinderman [76] Inventor: Abraham S. Kinderman, l-lopkinson House Washington Square Sixth and Spruce Sts., Philadelphia, Pa.

22 Filed: Mar. 10,1972

21 Appl.No.:233,542

[52] US. Cl. 206/4'5Q12, 206/45.22, 229/15 [51] Int. Cl. B65d 81/36, 865d 25/04 [58] Field of Search 206/44 R, 45.12

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,684,385 9/1928 Batkin 206/45.22 3,390,760 7/1968 Brown 206/45.22 3,664,494 5/1972 Mergens.. 206/44 R 3,317,111 5/1967 Black 229/15 2,113,245 4/1938 Thomas 206/45 2 1,901,483 3/1933 Ware, Jr 206/44 R 2,840,293 6/1958 Paige 206/44 R X 2,723,026 11/1955 Paige 206/45'.l2 3,702,170 11/1972 Adams 229/15 Primary Examiner-Leonard Summer Att0rney-Sidney G. Faber et a1.

[1 1 3,782,538 Jan. 1, 1974 [57] ABSTRACT A package having tiers of tinsel garland and the like comprising a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shaped carton having a plurality of support members contained therein each adapted to carry a plurality of such tinsel garland in a neatly spaced manner. The supporting tray members are bent or otherwise formed so as to provide separating members for maintaining spacing between adjacent garlands supported by a tray and further providing rigid support for a tray positioned thereupon to prevent crushing of the garland. Means may also be provided for visually observing the contents of lower tiers and for facilitating removal of each tray. The neat compact manner in which garland is stacked facilitates use of the package for display means.

Alternative display means comprising open ended carton sub-assemblies housed within an enclosing carton are adaptable for display use. The enclosing carton may be slit in such a manner as to form a pair of display stands each adapted to support a display carton in a tilted fashion. Each display carton sub-assembly is provided with a shelf type assembly cut from a single blank of stiff cardboard or other like material to position and support a plurality of garlands.

6 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJAN H974 sum 3' or a M lillnniliz i w 14 1 5 5 a w W 5 d a e d f V a Q m Q a .5 0, a Q a M 6 a Q W L x Q APPARATUS FOR PROTECTING AND DISPLAYING TINSEL GARLAND AND THE LIKE The present invention relates to packaging assemblies and more particularly to a novel packing assembly for tinsel garland and the like to facilitate storage, transportation and display of such garland and to facilitate neat compact storage of the garland while at the same time prevent crushing or damage thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Tinsel garland is rather widely used for decorative purposes, especially in connection with the decoration of Christmas trees, room decoration for parties or other festive occasions, and the like. The constituents of tinsel garland are quite delicate and hence quite fragile and require reasonably careful handling to prevent damage thereto. The garland is typically wound in loop form and a paper or cardboard band is wrapped around the center of the elongated looped garland. The garland is usually sold in this form.

The garland is typically packaged in a carton which typically contains a large number of said garlands. Due to the fragile nature of the garland, it is important to provide'means for protecting the garland against damage during shipment and/or storage, while at the same time providing means to facilitate a display of the garland in a retailers establishment.

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is therefore one primary object of the present invention to provide a novel package assembly which facilitates storage, shipment and handling of garland, provides for neat packaging thereof and facilitates display of the garland.

The present invention is characterized by providing a carton which may preferably be a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. A plurality of support tray members are provided in each carton for supporting a group of garlands on each such tray member with the trays being arranged in tiers within the carton.

Each tray is bent or otherwise formed so as to provide partitions for maintaining the garland deposited upon each tray in a neatly spaced manner. The partitions further serve to provide support for an upper tray member resting thereon so as to prevent the garlands from being crushed when stored within the carton even though a carton may contain a large number of tiers.

Plural trays may be formed from a single blank and mounted within display type cartons for insertion into shipping cartons which further serve as display stands when slit open in a predetermined fashion.

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The above, as well as other objects of the present invention, will become apparent when reading the accompanying description and drawings, in which:

FIG. I shows a plan view of a tray member designed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 1a is a perspective view showing the manner in which the tray member of FIG. 1 is folded.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are plan views of other preferred embodiments for the tray member of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view partially sectionalized showing the manner in which tray members of the type shown in FIG. I and garlands are packaged within a carton.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a combined shipping and display assembly for tinsel garlands and the like.

FIG. 5a is a plan view showing a display carton and tray assembly of FIG. 5 in greater detail.

FIG. 5b is a plan view showing the blank from which the tray of FIG. 5a is formed.

FIG. 5c is an elevational view showing one manner in which carton subassemblies are packaged within a carton which also functions as a display stand.

FIG. 5d is a plan view of the header of FIG. 5.

A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. 1 shows one preferred embodiment it) of a tray member designed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The tray member It]; may be formed of a double-faced corrugated sheet Ill which is slotted or die cut to form slits l2a-li2d and which is preferably scored as shown by dotted lines Ida-Bf to facilitate folding of the tray member.

FIG. 1a shows a perspective view of the manner in which the tray member 10 of FIG. I is folded after the cutting and scoring operation.

Referring to both FIGS. I and Ia, the partition section 14a is folded upwardly along; scored portion 130. Partition portions 14b-ll4d are similarly formed by being bent along the scored portions 13b, 13f and 13d, respectively. Finally, the tay is bent upwardly along the scorings 13c and 13 with the final form of the tray member being shown in the perspective view of FIG. 1a. It can be seen from FIG. Ia that partition portions 14a and l4dlie substantially within a common plane as do partition portions 14b and 140. Garlands are deposited upon the tray member with the outline of the garlands being shown by the dotted elongated loops 15a -1 5f. In the arrangement shown in. FIG. 4 it can be seen that one or more garlands 15a and 15b are positioned to the left of partition members 14a and 1411; one or more garlands 15c and 15d are positioned between the partition pairs 14a and 14d and I-4b-I4c, while the remaining one or more garlands, narneiy Rise and ISf are positioned upon the tray to the right of partition portions 14b and I40. Once the tray member has been cut and folded and the garlands have been deposited thereon, the completed tray may then be placed within a carton 16 as is shown in FIG. 4. A second tray is cut and formed in a like manner and garlands are deposited upon this tray likewise in a manner similar to that described hereinabove. The second tray is then placed upon the first tray with the undersurface thereof resting upon the upper edges of partitions Ida-Md, as well as the center portions I le and Mf which join the partition portions 14a-il4b and l te-14d, respectively. The partitions serve to maintain the garland in a neatly spaced manner so as to prevent any sidewise movement in the horizontal plane and further prevent any crushing of the garland from trays supported thereupon due to the partition members.

FIG. 2 shows another alternative embodiment 10' wherein a substantially rigid cardboard member such as, for example, a double-faced corrugated sheet is cut so as to form the slits 17a and 17b and is preferably scored as shown by dotted lines 18:: and 18b, 18c and 18d. After the cutting and scoring has been completed, the partition portions 19;: and 1% are folded upwardly along their scored portions 18a and 18b, respectively. Subsequently thereto the member is bent upwardly along the scored sides 18c and 18d so that the partition members 19a and 19d are aligned vertically and occupy the position shown by phantom lines 20a and 20b, respectively, with the partition members 19a and 19b serving to separate garlands positioned thereon in the same manner as the tray member of FIG. 1, as well as providing adequate support for tiers of tray members deposited thereon.

FIG. 3 shows still another modification for the tray member in which a stiff cardboard member 11' such as, for example, a double-faced corrugated sheet, is slitted at 21a and 21b and scored at 22a, 22b and 22c as shown by the dotted lines. The partition portions 23a and 23b are bent upwardly along scorings 22a and 22b and the member I1 is further bent upwardly along scored line 220 so that the partion members 23a and 23b ultimately occupy the positions shown by phantom lines 24a and 24b, respectively. This tray member functions in substantially the same manner as that described above with respect to the tray members of FIGS. 1 and j 2. It is preferable to cut the cardboard sheet 11 in the manner shown in FIG. 3 so that the ends of partition members 23a and 23b extend to the far edge 25 of the stiff cardboard member. The garland is deposited upon each tray member of the type shown in FIG. 3 in a manner substantially identical to that described hereinabove in connection with FIGS. la and 2 with tiers of such tray members being deposited one upon the other within a carton of the type shown in FIG. 6.

Although the tray members described hereinabove have been shown as being adapted to receive six separate garlands, it should be understood that a greater or lesser number may be deposited upon each tray. For example, considering the embodiment of FIG. 1a, three garlands may be deposited upon the tray member with one garland occupying the position shown by garlands a and 15b, the second garland occupying the positions shown by garlands 15c and 15d and the third and final garland occupying the positions of the garlands 15c and 15f. Alternatively, three garlands may be arranged in each of the positions shown as being occupied by two garlands in the embodiment of FIG. 1a. The accommodation for the number of garlands may further be facilitated by changing the dimensions of the tray while maintaining the arrangement of partition members substantially the same as those shown in FIGS. 1a, 2 and 3.

To facilitate removal of a tray member from the carton, holes or openings such as those designated by the numerals 26a-26d in FIG. 1 may be provided to enable an observer to look through the holes to see if the box still contains another tier beneath the one through which the observer is looking and further provide gripping means for facilitating the lifting out of a tray member from the carton. Due to the fact that the tray members maintain the garland in such a neat and compact manner within the carton it is possible to employ the carton as part of a garland display. Each tray becomes a separate display member as the empty tray member positioned above it is removed from the carton.

If desired the tinsel garland deposited upon any individual tiermay be isolated from one another by cutting additional upwardly extending projections such as the projections 39a-39b which are cut from base portion 11 of FIG. 1. Similar portions may be cut in each of the remaining tiers. The cut portions are then bent along suitable scored lines (not shown for purposes of simplicity) so as to be positioned in the upright manner as shown best in FIG. Ia. One or more tinsel garlands may be deposited between each of the partitions. The partitions are preferably of a height sufficient to span the distance between the lowermost tier and the next tier immediately thereabove so as to provide further support for tinsel garland within the carton to enhance and complement the supporting strength for each tier provided by the upright projections such as, for example, projections 14a-l4e.

FIGS. S-Sc show another embodiment 50 of the present invention which is comprised of first and second carton subassemblies 51 and 52 both mounted within a combined shipping and display carton 53 (see especially FIG. 5c) which is preferably perforated along the four vertical faces of shipping and display carton 53 as shown at 54a-54d, respectively. Slitting carton 53 along the perforations as shown facilitates use of the shipping carton as two display stand halves 53a and 53b. FIG. 5 shows one carton half 5130 with a carton subassembly 51 positioned therein. The upper and lower edges of the rectangular shaped sides of the carton defined by perforated portions 54b and 54d serve as supporting surfaces for carton subassembly 51 which, in turn, contains a tray assembly 55 shown best in FIG. 5a as contained in carton subassembly 51. The trapezoidal shaped sides of the carton half 5311 form the sides of the display stand.

The tray assembly is formed from a single blank 56 as shown in FIG. 5b which is slitted at S'Ta-SId and scored at 58a -58d to facilitate bending of the blank 56 into the shelf-like assembly of FIG. 5a.

The slits and scorings referred to above divide blank 56 into sections tSla-filj, which cooperatively form the finished assembly 55 of FIG. 5a. Sections 61d and 61 f form the supporting portions thereof which, together with the bottom side 51a of carton 51, each serve to support a plurality of garlands or other merchandise. Sections 61a, 61b and 610 are positioned adjacent wall 51b of carton 51 while sections 61g, 61th and tilj are positioned adjacent wall 510 of carton 51.

Blank 56 is further out to form projecting tabs 62a, 62b, 62c and 62d, as shown best in FIG. 5b to engage the upper and lower edges of sections 61b and 61h as shown best in FIG. 5a.

After cutting and scoring blank 56, the blank is bent to form the assembly 55 which is then inserted into carton 51.

Garlands are neatly stacked in each compartment and two cartons of the type shown in FIG. 5a are deposited within a carton 53 as shown best in FIG. 5a. Carton 53 is preferably perforated as shown by dotted lines 54a54d to facilitate slitting of carton 53 to form a pair of display stands 53a and 53b each adapted to support one of the cartons 51. Alternatively, perforations 54a-54d may be replaced by markings indicating the manner in which carton 53 is to be slit or cut open to form the display stand halves.

If desired a greater or lesser number of cartons 51 (or 52) may be inserted within a shipping carton 53.

A header as shown in FIG. 6 may be inserted within carton 53 to provide additional advertising and- /or display material. Header 70 is a single sheet having a slit or opening 71. The header is bent along dotted lines 72a and 72b to facilitate mounting of header 70 to the side 51d of carton 51 to enhance the attractiveness of the display.

It can be seen from the foregoing description that the present invention provides novel means for storing and transporting tinsel garland which tray means has sufficient supporting strength for supporting a plurality of tiers of trays thereupon while maintaining the tinsel garlands in equally spaced arrangement and preventing them from being crushed during insertion, storage or transport thereof.

Although there has been described a preferred embodiment of this noveel invention, many variations and modifications will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, this invention is to be limited, not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appending claims. For example, the carton 53 may be cut into two halves along dotted line L, instead of the arrangement described above, to formtwo display stands. The cartons 51 and 52 may be arrranged within the display stands in the same tilted manner as was previously described.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for storing and displaying fragile goods and the like comprising:

a pair of open-ended cartons each having a rectangular shaped opening; a second carton snugly enclosing said open ended cartons; I

said second carton having guide markings along its exterior surface to indicate the manner in which said second carton is to be opened; said second carton being adapted to be severed along said guide markings to form first and second carton halves each having two parallel trapezoidal shaped sides and two parallel rectangular shaped sides whose upper edges define an opening each adapted to receive and supporting said one of said pair of open ended cartons in an inclined manner with the base of each of said pair of cartons resting upon the upper edge of one of said rectangular shaped sides and with one side of said first carton resting upon the upper edge of the remaining one of said rectangular shaped sides.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a supporting assembly deposited in each of said pair of openended cartons;

said assembly comprising a sheet of substantially stiff material being bent and slit to form a base portion engaging the floor of said carton, first and second parallel upright portions joined to said base portion for dividing said open-ended carton into at least three compartments and a plurality of upright portions selectively engaging at least two sides of said carton;

selected ones of said plurality of upright portions having tabs engaging selected ones of the remaining upright portions adjacent said tabs for retaining all of said upright portions in their upright positions. a

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said indicia further comprises perforations to facilitate cutting of said second carton.

4. A pair of display assemblies formed comprising first and second open ended rectangular shaped cartons each having a base and four upright sides and a third rectangular shaped carton having six faces;

said third carton completely and snugly enclosing said first and second cartons during shipment or storage; said third carton having indicia along its exterior surface to define the lines along which said third carton is to be cut to form a pair of carton halves;

said third carton being adapted to be severed along said indicia into two substantially identical halves each having a base, a pair of upright parallel trapezoidal shaped sides and apair of upright rectangular shapedsides all joined to said base; the upper edges of said upright sides lying within a plane inclined relative to said base;

each of said first and second cartons being adapted to be positioned within one of said third carton halves when said third carton is severed for display purposes whereby the base of each of said first and second cartons rests against the upper edge of one of said rectangular shaped sides and one side of each of said first and second cartons rests upon the remaining edge of the remaining one of said rectangular shaped sides.

5; The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said indicia further comprises perforations to facilitate cutting of said third carton.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 further including a header in said third carton which is comprised of a sheet of stiff material having an elongated slit adjacent one edge thereof; said header being bendable to form a pair of sides arranged along opposite sides of said header and perpendicular to the center portion of said slit whereby the end portions of said slit extend into said bent sides; 7

said slit being adapted to receive one side and the adjacent corners of one of said first and second cartons; said header carrying advertising material for enhancing said display. 

1. Apparatus for storing and displaying fragile goods and the like comprising: a pair of open-ended cartons each having a rectangular shaped opening; a second carton snugly enclosing said open ended cartons; said second carton having guide markings along its exterior surface to indicate the manner in which said second carton is to be opened; said second carton being adapted to be severed along said guide markings to form first and second carton halves each having two parallel trapezoidal shaped sides and two parallel rectangular shaped sides whose upper edges define an opening each adapted to receive and supporting said one of said pair of open ended cartons in an inclined manner with the base of each of said pair of cartons resting upon the upper edge of one of said rectangular shaped sides and with one side of said first carton resting upon the upper edge of the remaining one of said rectangular shaped sides.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a supporting assembly deposited in each of said pair of open-ended cartons; said assembly comprising a sheet of substantially stiff material being bent and slit to form a base portion engaging the floor of said carton, first and second parallel upright portions joined to said base portion for dividing said open-ended carton into at least three compartments and a plurality of upright portions selectively engaging at least two sides of said carton; selected ones of said plurality of upright portions having tabs engaging selected ones of the remaining upright portions adjacent said tabs for retaining all of said upright portions in their upright positions.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said indicia further comprises perforations to facilitate cutting of said second carton.
 4. A pair of display assemblies comprising first and second open ended rectangular shaped cartons each having a base and four upright sides and a third rectangular shaped carton having six faces; said third carton completely and snugly enclosing said first and second cartons during shipment or storage; said third carton having indicia along its exterior surface to define the lines along which said third carton is to be cut to form a pair of carton halves; said third carton being adapted to be severed along said indicia into two substantially identical halves each having a base, a pair of upright parallel trapezoidal shaped sides and a pair of upright rectangular shaped sides all joined to said base; the upper edges of said upright sides lying within a plane inclined relative to said base; each of said first and second cartons being adapted to be positioned within one of said third carton halves when said third carton is severed for display purposes whereby the base of each of said first and second cartons rests against the upper edge of one of said rectangular shaped sides and one side of each of said first and second cartons rests upon the remaining edge of the remaining one of said rectangular shaped sides.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said indicia further comprises perforations to facilitate cutting of said third carton.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4 further including a header in said third carton which is comprised of a sheet of stiff material having an elongated slit adjacent one edge thereof; said header being bendable to form a pair of sides arranged along opposite sides of said header and perpendicular to the center portion of said slit whereby the end portions of said slit extend into said bent sides; said slit being adapted to receive one side and the adjacent corners of one of said first and second cartons; said header carrying advertising material for enhancing said display. 